Qinghai-tibet railway

A Challenging Journey to Breathtaking Beauty

Holding the Qinghai–Tibet train ticket for the first time felt like having the key to a mystical land — a place once thought to exist only in legends and paintings.

More than just a trip, this was a voyage to discover the wonders of the “Roof of the World” — an experience every traveler and explorer dreams of.

In his book “Riding the Iron Rooster: By Train Through China,” American travel writer Paul Edward Theroux once wrote: “As long as the Kunlun Mountains exist, no train will ever reach Lhasa.”

Twenty-three years after that statement, China proved otherwise. The nation accomplished the impossible, astonishing the world with the Qinghai–Tibet Railway — a true modern marvel.

This railway holds countless records: it is the highest, the longest, and among the most technologically advanced train routes ever built, overcoming the harshest natural challenges of the Tibetan Plateau.

The train seems to glide between heaven and earth, passing snow-covered mountains, clouds brushing against the windows, and vast golden grasslands sparkling under the sun.
The scenery is not just something you watch through glass — it breathes, whispers, and lives with the winds and mountains.

But getting a precious ticket for this extraordinary train is no easy task. With limited seats and overwhelming demand, I had to wait patiently for months — checking ticket releases, competing with thousands of others who shared the same dream of conquering this highland journey.
It wasn’t merely a race for a seat, but a pursuit of a dream — to witness the majestic and mysterious Tibet in person.

When the train finally departed, each turn of the wheel seemed to sync with my heartbeat. The thin yet crisp air filled my lungs, the plateau sun shimmered in golden brilliance, and I sat there, feeling a deep peace as every view outside the window unfolded like a new world.

If you long for a true journey — one where every moment tells a story and every landscape holds a soul — then the Qinghai–Tibet train is the path to take.
Just bring along a bit of patience to claim that precious ticket, because the beauty of Tibet will reward you beyond measure. #nguyenthyvan